Autoblog

Nissan refreshes Rogue crossover for 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

2011 Nissan Rogue - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Nissan Rogue is a getting a slight efresh when it goes on sale in mid-August. The most obvious external changes are a nose job that brings with it an eggcrate grille shaped more like the one on its bigger Murano sibling, along with new pockets around the foglamps that give the front a more sculpted appearance and revised front and rear spoilers. 18-inch wheels are also newly available for the SL and S Krōm Edition models. The exterior alterations strike us as subtle but handsome, particularly the new grille, which minimizes the odd 'chrome bucktooth' look of the 2010 model.

Perhaps the more important changes outside the vehicle are of the type that only James May would be likely to notice: spats in front of the wheels and a new underbody tray cut the aerodynamic drag and contribute to 1 mpg improvements in both the city and highway fuel economy numbers. The front-wheel-drive model is now EPA rated at 22/28 mpg while the all-wheel-drive variant manages 22/26 mpg. Inside, the Rogue doesn't look much different but does get upgraded entertainment systems.

The 2011 gets its first public showing this weekend at the annual Z Car Convention in Nashville, TN.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Rogue

[Source: Nissan]

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Nissan refreshes Rogue crossover for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: 2010 RDX peeks out on Acura website

Chris Paukert — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Acura

2010 Acura RDX - Click above for image gallery

Last week, we showed you a few photos of what looked to be the 2010 Acura RDX that had begun floating around the interwebs. A subsequent call to Acura confirmed that they were, in fact, the real deal. Now, without any fanfare, the updated compact crossover has appeared on the company's website, complete with specification changes and pricing.

As shown earlier, the RDX is indeed on the receiving end of the corporate shield grille rhinoplasty, and also gets new fog lamps and air inlets. The rear end has been cleaned up as well, with new hexagonal exhaust inlets with stylized cutouts and a mesh insert in the fascia's lower reaches.

The big news for 2010 is the availability of a front-drive version, which helps shed weight and parasitic drag to increase fuel economy. At an EPA estimated 19 miles-per-gallon city and 24 highway, the RDX still strikes us as behind the curve, but perhaps not as much as the (unchanged) 17/22 figures of the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) version.

Predictably, this least-complex RDX is also the cheapest, ringing up at $32,520 plus delivery. If you do want the foul-weather security of all-wheel drive, you'll have to pay a minimum of $34,520. Plump for the technology package (which includes traffic- and weather-linked sat-nav, premium Acura/ELS surround sound, and so on), you're looking at $35,620 in front-drive guise, and $37,620 for all-wheel drive.

We see no mention of streaming audio as hinted at earlier, but Bluetooth telephony is still part of the mix. Further, a rearview camera will come standard, even if one doesn't pony up for the Technology pack with navigation.

No matter which model you choose, the RDX continues to be motivated by the same turbocharged, intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder, giving 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm.

We'll keep our eyes peeled for an official press release and a full complement of high-res images, but for now, enjoy our screencap'd gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Trevor!

Gallery: 2010 Acura RDX

[Source: Acura]

CONFIRMED: 2010 RDX peeks out on Acura website originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the way

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

While there is a mad rush for automakers to make smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for the U.S. market, many of the vehicles we crave are already available to European customers. Mercedes sells A- and B-Class vehicles were deemed too small for U.S. consumption. One product Mercedes doesn't have in either of its two biggest markets is a small crossover vehicle, but that could change in 2011.

Autocar is reporting that Mercedes is looking to rectify its small crossover position with the BLK, which will be positioned to take on the BMW X1 and Land Rover LRX. If Mercedes does build the BLK, it will likely be on an all-new FWD chassis that will also accommodate the next-gen A- and B-Class, as well as other like-sized models. The guys and gals on team Benz were looking to strike a deal with another automaker to platform share, but talks apparently came up empty. Mercedes is still looking to partner up with BMW on engine development, which would help drastically reduce engineering and development costs. BLK engine choices are rumored to be between 1.6- and 2.2-liters, with direct injection gasoline and diesel variants.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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